TAMPA -- A Tampa non-profit is hosting its annual Affordable Christmas event this weekend by offering families the opportunity to buy presents for their children at one-tenth of the original retail cost.
Current Initiatives will hold the annual event Saturday, Dec. 9 at Crossover Church off Fowler Avenue in Tampa.
Jason Sowell, executive director, said they have pre-selected 100 families to participate in this year's charity toy event.
Sowell has found a creative way to put on the event by letting parents pay for the gift themselves instead of completely free, "we believe having families purchase items rather than taking a free handout empowers them and gives them the satisfaction of knowing they can provide for their children."
Gifts for children 14 years old and younger for Affordable Christmas are being collected at:
- Murray Motive in Oldsmar
- Watermark Church in Seminole Heights
- Crossover Church in Tampa
- Westtown Church
- Epic Bodywork & Massage
- True Grit Fit
- Coppertail Brewing
Also, Tampa Bay Beer Week is doing a collection and brewery locations can be found on their website.
Participating families must be considered low-income and invited or referred by a member's various organizations. Requested donation items include:
- new or unused bicycles
- sports toys and equipment
- skateboards
- scooters
- video games
- movies
- dolls
- action figures
- arts and crafts
- and more
Current Initiatives will be accepting toy donations up until the event. For more information, click here.
